Early Infant Oral Care

Perinatal & Infant Oral Health

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
recommends that all pregnant women receive oral
healthcare and counseling during pregnancy. Research has
shown evidence that periodontal disease can increase the
risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Talk to your
doctor or dentist about ways you can prevent periodontal
disease during pregnancy.

Additionally, mothers with poor oral health may be at
a greater risk of passing the bacteria which causes
cavities to their young children. Mother's should follow
these simple steps to decrease the risk of spreading
cavity-causing bacteria:

Visit your dentist regularly.

Brush and floss on a daily basis to reduce
bacterial plaque.

Proper diet, with the reduction of beverages and
foods high in sugar & starch.

Use a fluoridated toothpaste recommended by the
ADA and rinse every night with an alocohol-free,
over-the-counter mouth rinse with .05 % sodium
fluoride in order to reduce plaque levels.

Don't share utensils, cups or food which can
cause the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria to
your children.

Use of xylitol chewing gum (4 pieces per day by
the mother) can decrease a child’s caries rate.

Your Child's First Dental Visit-Establishing A "Dental
Home"

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the
American Dental Association (ADA), and the American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend
establishing a "Dental Home" for your child by one year
of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely
to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral
health care.

The Dental Home is intended to provide a place other
than the Emergency Room for parents.

You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable
and positive. If old enough, your child should be
informed of the visit and told that the dentist and
their staff will explain all procedures and answer any
questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the
better.

It is best if you refrain from using words around
your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as
needle, pull, drill or hurt. Pediatric dental offices
make a practice of using words that convey the same
message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the
child.

When Will My Baby Start Getting Teeth?

Teething, the process of baby (primary) teeth coming
through the gums into the mouth, is variable among
individual babies. Some babies get their teeth early and
some get them late. In general, the first baby teeth to
appear are usually the lower front (anterior) teeth and
they usually begin erupting between the age of 6-8
months. See
"Eruption of Your Child’s Teeth" for more details.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Caries)

One serious form of decay among young children is
baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by
frequent and long exposures of an infant’s teeth to
liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk
(including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other
sweetened drinks.

Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a
bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid
tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth
giving plaque bacteria an opportunity to produce acids
that attack tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a
bottle as a comforter at bedtime, it should contain only
water. If your child won't fall asleep without the
bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the
bottle's contents with water over a period of two to
three weeks.

After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth
with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The
easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the child’s
head in your lap or lay the child on a dressing table or
the floor. Whatever position you use, be sure you can
see into the child’s mouth easily.

Sippy Cups

Sippy cups should be used as a training tool from the
bottle to a cup and should be discontinued by the first
birthday. If your child uses a sippy cup throughout the
day, fill the sippy cup with water only (except at
mealtimes). By filling the sippy cup with liquids that
contain sugar (including milk, fruit juice, sports
drinks, etc.) and allowing a child to drink from it
throughout the day, it soaks the child’s teeth in cavity
causing bacteria.